In LaTeX, an environment is a construct that allows you to control the formatting and behavior of a specific document section. Environments are initiated with the \begin{name} command and concluded with the \end{name} command. Here “name” is the name of the environment.
Syntax
The basic syntax for an environment is as follows:
\begin{name}
% Content of the environment
\end{name}The commands within the \begin and \end tags are affected by the properties of the environment. The environment defines a specific scope for formatting changes.
Environments commonly apply specific formatting or settings to a block of text. For example, the “itemize” environment creates bulleted lists, and the “align” environment is used for multiline equations.
Environments can take optional and mandatory arguments, similar to commands. These arguments modify the behavior of the environment. Mandatory arguments are enclosed in curly braces, while optional arguments are enclosed in square brackets. Consequently, you may encounter environments structured like the following:
\begin{name}[optional argument]{mandatory argument}
% Content of the environment
\end{name}Example
Here’s a simple example using the “itemize” environment:
\begin{itemize}
\item Item 1
\item Item 2
\end{itemize}In this example, the \begin{itemize} and \end{itemize} commands define the beginning and end of the “itemize“ environment. The environment’s items are bulleted due to the environment’s formatting rules.
List of LaTeX environments
LaTeX provides a variety of environments for different document elements. Here’s a list of some commonly used LaTeX environments.
Document Structure
\begin{document}…\end{document}: The document’s main content goes between these commands.\begin{abstract}…\end{abstract}: For writing an abstract.\begin{titlepage}…\end{titlepage}: Creates a title page.\begin{appendix}…\end{appendix}: Starts an appendix section.
Text Formatting
\begin{emph}…\end{emph}: Emphasizes text.\begin{bf}…\end{bf}: Sets text in boldface.\begin{tt}…\end{tt}: Uses a monospaced (typewriter) font.
Lists
\begin{itemize}…\end{itemize}: Creates an unordered (bulleted) list.\begin{enumerate}…\end{enumerate}: Creates an ordered (numbered) list.\begin{description}…\end{description}: Descriptive list.
Mathematics
\begin{equation}…\end{equation}: For single-line equations.\begin{align}…\end{align}: For multiline equations.\begin{gather}…\end{gather}: For equations with centered alignment.
Figures and Tables
\begin{figure}…\end{figure}: Container for figures.\begin{table}…\end{table}: Container for tables.
Verbatim and Code
\begin{verbatim}…\end{verbatim}: Displays text exactly as entered.\begin{lstlisting}…\end{lstlisting}: For including code.
Miscellaneous
\begin{quote}…\end{quote}: Creates an indented block quote.\begin{minipage}…\end{minipage}: Creates a minipage with a specified width.
Remember, you can also define custom environments to suit your specific needs. Additionally, many packages introduce their environments with specialized functionality.
